If I had a nickel for every horror story.
Grown women have cowered and cried over a bad makeup job. I had a model once tell me how her previous artist licked a q-tip and tried to use it on her face! Breakouts, dirty brushes, attitude problems, or just plain ugly makeup jobs can make a girl quiver in fear.
Anytime your using someones services for the first time, it's a crap shoot. The best laid plans of mice and men, as they say. It sucks that we usually learn how bad a company can be first hand, but you can certainly increase your odds of landing a good one if you have a basic idea of what your looking for.
When searching for a makeup artist, first and foremost know that the competition is cutthroat. If you live in a major metro area or even a large state and only find a couple, your looking in the wrong places. You should have at least a half a dozen or so to choose from, but more than likely alot more!
Testimonials are very effective in finding a great MUA. If other people have good things to say, then chances are you will too. Most websites have policies in effect so that all reviews are verified as legit. Also, it takes effort on our part to get former clients to write those reviews, good bad or otherwise. A MUA with reviews is an MUA who is pretty serious about their careers and makes the effort beyond just showing up to appointments.
Portfolio's can be a big help too. Your looking for a good selection of styles. If all you see is tight, curly updo's and your going to a corporate event, that may not be the artist for you. It's kinda a gyp to the client that Photoshop is so mainstream now, I've seen many a shoddy makeup artist with a great portfolio when it's mostly a graphic design team's work. There's no way to tell this except to look for consitency in the photo's. If only a few are amazing but there rest suck, it probably means that the MUA lucked out and got a good post-production clean up.
Now that you found an artist with great reviews and a smashing portfolio, the follow thru is going to seal the deal. Most of us are our own secretary's. That means, when work is good, we probably aren't going to be able to get back to you immediately. But, you should hear back from an artist within two days of your initial contact. We may be on set all day, but especially if you email us, we can usually write back from our Blackberry's an iPhones. You want an artist who responds in a reasonable time frame, answers your questions, and is freindly. This all confirms the good stuff you've read and the photo's you've seen.
Don't be afraid to have a trial if your unsure about your artist. If it's a big event and you need to be postive about the person your working with, schedule your trial. Yes, it will cost you extra, but it would be worth your peace of mind. Also, you can make sure that the artist LISTENS. One of the biggest complaints I hear about other artists is that they didn't listen to the client. You need someone who can walk the fine line between giving you good, professional advice and still giving you what you want. Sometimes that line can be shaky to tread, but an effort must be made just the same.
There are some truly amazing artists out there, just waiting to be found!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Me + Brian + R2K = One sexy shoot
As always, I'm a couple months behind in posting. This bad-ass new studio in the arts district of Las Vegas (yup, we have one, and your damn right they serve alcohol) had just opened up and what a juicy piece of space to sink our teeth into. Brian, the uber cool photographer and my brother-from-another-mother discovered it, coerced a couple hot models into showing up, tracked me down, and got a killer wardrobe. What we ended up with was raw, sexy, and undeniably one of The. Best. Shoots. Ever. Polaroid never had it so good.
Thanks to BRIAN SACULLES for yet another fantastic shoot!
Thanks to BRIAN SACULLES for yet another fantastic shoot!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Beauty: You are what you read.
I'm a known avid reader. My idea of a hot date night would probably involve Borders. I get my hands on anything I can, except I've never been able to make it thru an entire Forbes magazine.
A couple years ago at an industry convention, I signed up for this 10 magazines a month deal for dirt cheap, something like 20 bucks a month. It had all the goodies in there... Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and more. Add in a few more gift subscriptions and I was getting 14 magazines a month. If I had all the time to read those, I would have been unemployed.
I got the magazines to educate myself and stay on top of trends. For me, it's actually a tax write off because it's considered research, and rightfully so. Where else should I get hair and makeup ideas, beauty tips and tricks, other than a monthly magazine devoted to exactly such topics? Seemed like a good idea at the time.
After a few months of getting these amazing vessels of information, I was starting to notice a trend. If these magazines are designed to target women like me, then the people who run them must think I'm overweight and desperate to improve my sex life. Oh, and that my vagina and breasts rotate months for having issues.
It seems like every single month, there's 99 new ways to turn him on, or ground-breaking research of our feminine parts, or new no-fail diet plans. There's a whole slew of people whose careers are devoted to finding out what we women want to read about. With all due respect to them, I only have so many orifice's and therefore I doubt there really are hundreds of new things to do with them every year.
And of course, there's some editorial spreads stuck here and there that tell us all about OPI's new seasonal nail color, and the hot lipstick now. I can get behind that, and usually end up going thru the mag at lighting speed ripping out the precious few articles to do with beauty. These tear sheets then lay scattered across the table till I realize that if I took the time to read them, I wouldn't have time to read the other things I find important and then into the compost bin they go.
I hate to say it, but I'm knocking the beauty mags. While there may be pearls of wisdom hidden between the condom expertise and the vagina monologues, digging thru to find the diamond in the rough has become a chore. And, what's more, if I had more time to waste reading about the latest fad food system I might actually do it. Thankfully, I am lucky enough to be kept busy with work and by default don't buy into half the crap that ends up in my mailbox. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the dishing out of sex advice. Women have fought long and hard (pun intended) for the right to display their sex knowledge in bold pink in the checkout aisle. I'm just saying that if I pick up a beauty magazine, I want to read about... beauty.
If your really wanting to get some great beauty advice, I got a couple idea's for you. Check out The Green Beauty Guide. While author Julie Gabriel is so far on the eco side that she's beyond even my zip code for green, she provides a plethora of information that even the laziest environmentalist can do. I love reading her recipes. They combine my three favorite things: Cooking, Reading, and Beauty. Another fantastic read is Gorgeously Green by Sohpie Uliano. This book contains more than just good beauty advice, but at least it's supplements aren't laden with some neo-feminist assertions. I also like Paula Begouns series. This chick is not joking around, she's going to dissect just about any product you could imagine. I've got more up my sleeve, but those three have the most worn binders on my shelf.
Everyone has their thing. That thing you do that's your own dirty little pleasure where the only value gained is a mental break from reality. And if reading these glossies is yours, then definitely go for it. But take it from the professional: Don't get your real beauty advice from there. It's like the pretty boyfriend you once had. Totally fun fling, but with no substance. Enjoy the fun, and when your ready for the real deal, move on.
A couple years ago at an industry convention, I signed up for this 10 magazines a month deal for dirt cheap, something like 20 bucks a month. It had all the goodies in there... Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and more. Add in a few more gift subscriptions and I was getting 14 magazines a month. If I had all the time to read those, I would have been unemployed.
I got the magazines to educate myself and stay on top of trends. For me, it's actually a tax write off because it's considered research, and rightfully so. Where else should I get hair and makeup ideas, beauty tips and tricks, other than a monthly magazine devoted to exactly such topics? Seemed like a good idea at the time.
After a few months of getting these amazing vessels of information, I was starting to notice a trend. If these magazines are designed to target women like me, then the people who run them must think I'm overweight and desperate to improve my sex life. Oh, and that my vagina and breasts rotate months for having issues.
It seems like every single month, there's 99 new ways to turn him on, or ground-breaking research of our feminine parts, or new no-fail diet plans. There's a whole slew of people whose careers are devoted to finding out what we women want to read about. With all due respect to them, I only have so many orifice's and therefore I doubt there really are hundreds of new things to do with them every year.
And of course, there's some editorial spreads stuck here and there that tell us all about OPI's new seasonal nail color, and the hot lipstick now. I can get behind that, and usually end up going thru the mag at lighting speed ripping out the precious few articles to do with beauty. These tear sheets then lay scattered across the table till I realize that if I took the time to read them, I wouldn't have time to read the other things I find important and then into the compost bin they go.
I hate to say it, but I'm knocking the beauty mags. While there may be pearls of wisdom hidden between the condom expertise and the vagina monologues, digging thru to find the diamond in the rough has become a chore. And, what's more, if I had more time to waste reading about the latest fad food system I might actually do it. Thankfully, I am lucky enough to be kept busy with work and by default don't buy into half the crap that ends up in my mailbox. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the dishing out of sex advice. Women have fought long and hard (pun intended) for the right to display their sex knowledge in bold pink in the checkout aisle. I'm just saying that if I pick up a beauty magazine, I want to read about... beauty.
If your really wanting to get some great beauty advice, I got a couple idea's for you. Check out The Green Beauty Guide. While author Julie Gabriel is so far on the eco side that she's beyond even my zip code for green, she provides a plethora of information that even the laziest environmentalist can do. I love reading her recipes. They combine my three favorite things: Cooking, Reading, and Beauty. Another fantastic read is Gorgeously Green by Sohpie Uliano. This book contains more than just good beauty advice, but at least it's supplements aren't laden with some neo-feminist assertions. I also like Paula Begouns series. This chick is not joking around, she's going to dissect just about any product you could imagine. I've got more up my sleeve, but those three have the most worn binders on my shelf.
Everyone has their thing. That thing you do that's your own dirty little pleasure where the only value gained is a mental break from reality. And if reading these glossies is yours, then definitely go for it. But take it from the professional: Don't get your real beauty advice from there. It's like the pretty boyfriend you once had. Totally fun fling, but with no substance. Enjoy the fun, and when your ready for the real deal, move on.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Budget Beauty- When to Save, when to Splurge
In these lean and mean times, a girl still has gotta look good. It's a good think that a few awesome products and pretty tricks separate the hotties from the...uh...homely. Don't feel like your pay cut means a trip back to the dollar store.
Splurge
The general rule of thumb when it comes to purchases is that you want to invest the most in what is going to be with you the longest. A classic pair of black pumps will run you more than seasonal flip flops. Same thing with beauty. You need to be investing in what's going to be with you the longest, and that's your skin. Cut back whatever it takes for you to afford good skin care. Keep to the trifecta: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize. Nope, don't bother with toner. I haven't found any toner that was really needed. But the other three are must haves. Not saying you have to run out and drop a few hundred on Chanel. There are amazing lines available that work even better than department store brands, you just need to do a little research. When you do find the best for your skin, buy it and do without your weekly lip gloss purchase if that's what it takes.
Save
Get rid of the fake tan. You shouldn't be spraying your body with synthetic dye's anyways, and the good-for-you stuff ain't cheap. You can be fair for a while. You'll live.
Splurge
Continue to get the eyebrows done. Now that we have all those awesome little threading joints popping up, you can spring the 15 bucks to get cleaned up every few weeks. It's just good housekeeping, and totally worth the money.
Save
No more highlights. It's summer, so you can let them grow out sufer-girl style. If you've been darkening your hair all over either from gray's or just preference, find out how you can stretch out the space between appointments. If you've been with your stylist for a while, you can probably level with her.
Splurge
Don't cheap out on the foundation. If your a girl who wears foundation every day, your going to look silly if the cheap foundation you got doesn't quite match your skin tone. If you can't afford the right color and formula for your skin type, just skip it. But, if you need to have it, continue to get the correct color with the best forumla.
Save
Resist the urge to pick up a new gloss at the register. Those sneaky little devils in their pretty display right at check out, those pretty color's glistening under the store light... no. You must remain strong. That $4 purchase 3 times a month will pay for those brows to get fixed, and trust me when I say no one is going to be looking at your lips if your eyebrows look like Robin Hood and his Merry Men are going to come running out any second.
It's not going to be easy. Being on a budget never is. But, with a little self discipline and a firm grasp of what's important, you'll literally save face till we pull out of this. Then, if you go back to your wicked ways... well, that's OK.
Splurge
The general rule of thumb when it comes to purchases is that you want to invest the most in what is going to be with you the longest. A classic pair of black pumps will run you more than seasonal flip flops. Same thing with beauty. You need to be investing in what's going to be with you the longest, and that's your skin. Cut back whatever it takes for you to afford good skin care. Keep to the trifecta: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize. Nope, don't bother with toner. I haven't found any toner that was really needed. But the other three are must haves. Not saying you have to run out and drop a few hundred on Chanel. There are amazing lines available that work even better than department store brands, you just need to do a little research. When you do find the best for your skin, buy it and do without your weekly lip gloss purchase if that's what it takes.
Save
Get rid of the fake tan. You shouldn't be spraying your body with synthetic dye's anyways, and the good-for-you stuff ain't cheap. You can be fair for a while. You'll live.
Splurge
Continue to get the eyebrows done. Now that we have all those awesome little threading joints popping up, you can spring the 15 bucks to get cleaned up every few weeks. It's just good housekeeping, and totally worth the money.
Save
No more highlights. It's summer, so you can let them grow out sufer-girl style. If you've been darkening your hair all over either from gray's or just preference, find out how you can stretch out the space between appointments. If you've been with your stylist for a while, you can probably level with her.
Splurge
Don't cheap out on the foundation. If your a girl who wears foundation every day, your going to look silly if the cheap foundation you got doesn't quite match your skin tone. If you can't afford the right color and formula for your skin type, just skip it. But, if you need to have it, continue to get the correct color with the best forumla.
Save
Resist the urge to pick up a new gloss at the register. Those sneaky little devils in their pretty display right at check out, those pretty color's glistening under the store light... no. You must remain strong. That $4 purchase 3 times a month will pay for those brows to get fixed, and trust me when I say no one is going to be looking at your lips if your eyebrows look like Robin Hood and his Merry Men are going to come running out any second.
It's not going to be easy. Being on a budget never is. But, with a little self discipline and a firm grasp of what's important, you'll literally save face till we pull out of this. Then, if you go back to your wicked ways... well, that's OK.
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